New Political Group Will Be First to Advocate for Rights of Nonbelievers

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A new Political Action Committee has been formed to advocate for the rights of nonbelievers. The Freethought Equality Fund PAC was announced Wednesday by the Center of Humanist Activism.

The FEFPAC will represent the interests of humanists, atheists, agnostics and those who support the "separation of church and state" and the "civil liberties of secular Americans." The PAC's contributions will go to candidates who "support the constitutional principal of church-state separation and defend the civil liberties of secular Americans," according to a press release.

Bishop McNeill, who will be coordinator for the new PAC, argued that secular Americans need better representation in government because they are "under attack."

"The increasing numbers of non-religious Americans now have a vibrant PAC that will be directly supporting candidates who champion the principles of secular government now so fervently under attack," he said. "There is a clear need to assist candidates who will challenge those looking to use the power of government to impose religious doctrines on everyone."

According to the Center for Humanist Activism website, the organization has advocated for military chaplains for atheists, opposed school choice programs, and complained about being excluded from the National Day of Prayer.

Congress currently has one member, Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who identifies as an atheist. Ten members do not claim a religious affiliation, according to a Pew Research study.